Memorial Day

This about sums it all up! Watermelon, watermelon, watermelon. I think he had 6 pieces just yesterday ALONE!Thought about an overnight road trip. Does it really take 4 BAGS?

Trying to get a good pics of the boys ..

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. DONE!

YES! Mom let us play in the water in our jammies. It must be a holiday.

Rethinking this "playing in the water" thing.

Headed out to get some slushes, but the troops have fallen asleep.

Good ... more for me & hubby! :)

Happy Birthday to me ....

This year has flown by so fast, I simply could not believe my birthday is here. I spent most of the day with my oldest son @ the doctor's office and then we treated ourselves to Happy Hour at Sonic. Two thumbs up from Ethan's neurologist; there's not a better gift out there.

This past weekend hubby & I talked about breaking out the grill for my b-day, but it seemed like the rain was going to roll in, so I decided to shoot for another day to bbq. (my love language) Hubby decided we needed to go OUT for dinner to celebrate my birthday. I reluctantly agreed and off we went. We couldn't really decide what to eat and then I remembered a WONDERFUL Mexican restaurant my sissy turned me onto. YUMMO.This is AFTER we ate everything in sight:) I'm glad hubby vetoed my decision and made us go out to eat. I didn't have to cook or clean up and did I say, the meal was DELICIOSO?

Birthdays mean more to me now because you CANNOT take your life for granted and tomorrow is NOT promised. I want to live each day to the fullest, enjoy what God has given me and be in HIS will for my life.

Biggest for me is celebrating life and time with my family doing meaningful things that will make memories for my sons.

Everyday Happenings 3-2010

Spring Fever has sprung and we were itching to get out today ... We found a park for special needs kids and had a WONDERFUL time in the not so springy weather. It was 80 degrees yesterday ..... today it's 60.

Say Cheese!

This ole blog o mine ..

I really do enjoy this blog, but have had to be neglectful in the last month. As we prepared for my son's surgery, things around us seemed to have fallen apart. I don't mean fallen apart as in we have no hope, but fallen apart as in schedules are broken, squirrels invading, and every last one of my modern maids going out on strike. First it was the washing machine, then the boys bathroom porcelain throne, then the dryer and two days later .. the dishwasher.

It has been so much easier to TWEET about the goings on of life, because my FB account is connected to my twitter account, so all I have to do is send a 140 character message about this life I live and all bases are covered. :)

But then there are so MANY things I have wanted to say and photos I wanted to add - - I have quiet a few "drafts", but have been able to complete any of them.

So I said all that to say to any of you who stop by or have stuck around (I am so sure I am speaking to all 2 of us) .. I will be back.

My son's surgery (both of them) went extremely well and I plan to blog about the two weeks we spent in the hospital, what God did for son #1 and a whole LOT of things I observed these first weeks of February. It was a lot and sometimes more than I can bear.

I also plan to blog about this teenager who mysteriously appeared at our house this weekend and how I plan to deal with him. It seems like OVERNIGHT ... OVERNIGHT .. the 13yr. genes kicked in and have exploded all over the place. HELP ME!

Good morning heartache

It's been 4 years since my father and 14 years since my mom went home to be with Jesus and it still hurts. No, not as much or as fresh as 2005 or 1995, but nonetheless it hurts.

God gave me three boys to raise and oh how I would love my dad to see his grandboys .. laughing, learning, jumping and loving their lives. He would especially enjoy the fact that the boys LOVE music. Jazz and gospel are their favorites and they hang pretty good with the big boys. They know who Miles Davis is, they Dizzie Gillespie, the Ramsey Lewis trio and on and on. (yea, those are the GOOD ones :) I think my mom would get kick out of being around 3 sho nuf BOYS .. since she raised three girly girls.

The Internet has been an amazing way for me to see in other lives and know that I am not the only one who hurts during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. My mother died at Thanksgiving and my father at Christmas, but they both knew Jesus and are back together in heaven and I WILL see them again.

My husband has both his parents and I am thankful God has allowed me to love them and them love me and so my sons will get to know and love one set of grandparents and a greatgrandmother.

I am blessed and grateful for the time God gave me to know and love my parents.

Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Preparing for Thanksgiving ...

I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love being with my husband's family. I love preparing and packing for the trip. I love the time in the car. I love the talk time w/ hubby. I love cooler weather. I love Thanksgiving Day w/ family and LOTS of food prepared by a wonderful woman of God. (Love you GranGran) I love creating memories.

We have LOTS to be thankful for. Thankful to the Father - Great things He has done.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, enter His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4

Life hands you lemons, so you make BROWNIES

(Sorry for the blurry photo, I guess it is the pan reflection)

Life has been kinda heavy around here for the last two weeks, but God has given us some much lighter moments and we are still cooking, baking, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

So today when the 2yr. old suggested grilled cheese for lunch (yes, the two yr. old), I couldn't resist making a complete comfort food lunch. Grilled cheese, tomato soup and brownies .. delicious FUDGE BROWNIES. Yum, yum

and then ChickFilA decided to give away food ...

That's all the boys needed to hear. They got our their game gear and we loaded up the van .. daddy too ... and headed to ChickFilA for lunch.

Good for me because I didn't have to cook for a THIRD day .. I think the fam was tired of BBQ anyway. :)

Labor Day Fun

Laughing at my 2yr old because he is giving me the puppydog eyes for playing in the water in his bathroom AND spilling water all over the floor. (I guess he heard me say last night, the bathroom floor need mopping). hehehe

Toddlers, gotta love them.

We R Homeschooling!

.... and have FINALLY been able to get a photo w/o DeClan's eyes being closed. We are trying to get into a "groove" and are taking things day by day.

Never in a million years would I have guessed I would be homeschooling my children, but I am enjoying it.

Summer fun ...

Who knew toddlers could have THIS much fun @ Dave and Buster's? 1/2 price game day, made it even better!
Tods driving daddy around @ Six Flags .. admit it daddy, you had just as much fun as the boys. (hehe)

Field day for the kids ... you would have though we were given REAL trophies.

Just when you think ..

you have the right to complain about the things going on in your life, have your own pity party, groan, mumble and get down right mad about things going on in your life .. God allows you to hear about families REALLY going through it like this ... and it makes you fall to your knees and thank God for what He has given you and your family. It makes you pray for other people (which we would should be doing more of anyway) and it makes you realize, that YES things in my life ARE crazy, BUT there is ALWAYS someone else who has it so much more worse than you.

BTW .. Jennifer's faith IS amazing and the way she is handling what is going on is indeed amazing. That is the strength only provided by the Lord in my opinion.

I am NOT saying my issues and problems are not a concern of my great God, because they are and I WILL continue to pray about them, but SMACK DAB right in front of me is a reason to stop all the junk and pray, be thankful and pray some more. Especially after looking at my husband and 3 sons and knowing where we all could be.

Thankful, truly thankful.

Happy 4th of July!

(photo taken after long day around LOTS of food)

We had a GREAT time with the family today. Lots of food, fun and laughter! Lots of laughter. Maybe too much food as well. Gauging by the photo, I need to lose more weight. :( I'll get to working on that REAL soon.

With the temps crossing 102 this week, I will more than likely sweat some of the water weight. :)

Anyhoo, the kids had a blast playing with their cousins and godbrothers, eating crispy hot dogs and Earl Campbell hot links. (psst, have you ever had those? They are the best!) That man did more than play some football, he can make some sausage.

My brother came over on his motorcycle (my dad would kill him if he knew he had one) and scared us half to death by peeping through the windows while we were all in the kitchen. He IS a jokster.

We ate a LOT .. oh did I say that .. but more than anything else, the family was together celebrating the freedom we all have in this country, but also the freedom in Jesus we have. What a privilege to be in a country where we can openly celebrate the goodness of God!


Happy 4th!

Summer, where are you?

We have 10 more days of school. I am TIRED.

I simply cannot wait until I CAN sleep in, work in my PJs and run my kids around for summer activities. We WILL stay home 3 out 5 weekdays this summer, but I have a great list of ideas NEARBY for us to take part in. My gas needle won't even move and my prayer is that the boys will have memories for a lifetime.
(Especially with gas slowly hiking back up near $3.00.)

I am simply tired of school and all the responsibilities that go with it. :) What? You didn't know I was in school? Me either! :)

Oh September, please do not come anywhere NEAR ME!

THAT IS all.

Family Day

DeClan tasting an orange ... he ate at every booth today .. :)
Beautiful fruit and veggies, no chemicals ...

DeClan with another orange .. see I told he ate the whole trip ..

More wonderful fruit .. the aroma .. made me want to buy everything!

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God knows what is best ... I tell myself that all .. the .. time ...

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MY plan was to spend the morning with a dear friend, her mother, aunt and grandmother sitting at their feet. These women are ALL Godly women and my friend invited a few of us to hear from them. Oh, how I wanted to be there .. to get some advice and just be blessed by these women. You know a kinda Titus 2 time with these women.

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BUT GOD had a different plan for my Saturday.

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A series of mishaps, miscommunication, and misunderstandings .. and I wasn't able to attend, BUT I was able to spend some much needed time with MY family .. with no schedule or time frames.

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We took a field trip with the kids and ended up at our local farmers market ..... AND HAD A blast!!!!!

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Thank you Lord .. for stirring me in another direction ......NOT that I didn't need a word from the Lord, but I needed to be with my family .. especially after the hectic week we had ....

80 degree day!

and the popsicles came right on out!

Special Day

Today, we spent time with one of the most wonderful women I have ever met ... DH's grandmother. Both of my grandmothers are with Jesus now and I LOVE spending time with GranGran (as we so affectionately call her).

AND .. the woman can cook!!!!!!!!

Since we were in town for Spring Break, GranGran wanted the whole family to get together for food, fellowship and fun. Mostly, the food :) Saturday, 1:00pm she said .. and she did not disappoint.

Turkey, Roast Beef, Boston Butt, Cornbread dressing, greens, green beans, Macaronkey (This is how DeClan says Mac & Cheese) Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, Onions, From Scratch Potato rolls, Sweet Tea, Yellow Cake w/ Caramel Icing and Cherry Delight .. I am very sure I forgot something. She did NOT disappoint.

See, I had to say that twice, because she really did NOT .... well you know ....

No airs put on by me. I sat down and ate like a REAL woman does, especially since my WWatchers plans start today. That way after I lose the weight, I CAN and WILL enjoy Thanksgiving. :)

I am so very happy the sons are able to spend time and be loved on by their great-grandmother and that she IS passing down the recipes to her family. I AM trying to learn the art of the rolls as we speak.

Needless to say, I HAVE disappointed with those babies!


Thank you Lord, Thank you so very much for this legacy and for DH's family~~ Please continue to watch over them and bless them.

My men ..

Took this quick photog after church yesterday. The boys saw the Kung Fu Panda statue in the Education building (where we have Children's Church) and just HAD to take a picture with Po.

They are sooo cute .. I love my men!

I luv my hub!

With no babysitters in sight Saturday, we made Valentine’s Day a “family of love” day. Took the kids to IHOP (doesn’t help that they have all you can eat pancakes!!), came home and I made them valentine bags w/ a little candy in them.

Hubby and I were able to have a quick dinner date Friday night (Thanks to his company having a parent night out).. it was nice and less crowded .. no wait, no reservations needed! It was very nice to be alone and be able to talk and laugh w/o life's interruptions. :)

Super Sunday

I am currently making smores for the family and listening to the "men" in my home hoop and holla like they were playing for the 45,000 prize money and the gigantic ring they keep flashing on the tv. DH is rooting for the Steelers, the littles are rooting for Kurt Warner and the Cardinals. (even the 2 year old who just finished his own chorus of "the Raiders, the Raiders Daddy, NOT the Steeloos".

I really like SuperSunday for the football, yes, but mainly the food. We are usually with relatives this day, but DH decided we should stay at home, so I decided to make everyone's favorite snack. Good idea at the time, but now I realize I should have focused on two items. Uhhh, remember, I only have one hand to cook with.

I have been making something different each hour for each "man" in the house. We have eaten spinach dip w/ wheat crackers, buffalo wings, Ham and White Cheddar pizza, Tortilla chips w/ Rotel dip, Chicken Quesadillas and Rice and now the S'Mores are baking in the oven. HELLO PEPTO!

Looks like the Steelers are gonna win .... drats!! I really wanted to hear Kurt Warner testify when they won. Not that all the players for the Steelers are agnostic or anything .. I'm just saying ...